(06-29-2018 09:09 AM)Djud Wrote: The biggest issue I have with this article is not including Pugh and Cochran as Key Returnees, they will be difference makers this season. On the plus side we have the Freshman POY returning. On the down side, almost half of his total TD passes (7 of 16) came in two games Ball State and Bowling Green, both of whom were horrible last year. As stated numerous times, Childers improvement (and health) will determine the success of the season. Maybe as important as his passing will be his improvement in the running game.

This may be the biggest challenge a coach could face with NIU's schedule. Just looking at it again as we begin to draw closer to the season, my jaw is dropped to just how player/coach unfriendly it is. For some reason I thought bye came earlier in the year. How NIU is going to have enough players to remain upright for the game @ EMU after FSU is a very good question. I guess that brings me to a question, say for example NIU gets down 21 vs Iowa, Utah, or FSU, should 2nd and 3rd stringers be given an opportunity , and rest some first unit players. When you combine that incredible OOC schedule with the unreal grind of the late season weekday ESPN deal mess, I fear you are going to be putting players in some pretty serious physical danger. This could turn out to have a very similar feel to the injury situation in the 2007 season.

I'll bite. Why will the offense not suck? For starters: we have an nfl lineman (Max Sharping will be drafted next year) leading a pretty solid and experienced OLine, probably the best Oline in the MAC. next, Harbs is as good as any back we have had in the last few years a bulldozer & Jones is adequate. Next, our Qb is better than last year, even if you are not a Childers fan, there is almost always an improvement from Frosh to Sophomore season by virtually all players. Lastly, people are in a panic about our WR's but last I checked, Tears , brown and Wesley were all starters last year and are ALL returning.
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Agree completely. My only fear is that Harbison will only get 6-9 carries per game while Jones gets 15-20. I think Brown might be a better version of TLL and Wesley will be a deep threat. He made some big receptions last year. Of course Childers will have to show the experience and the poise he gained from last year.

Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

(07-10-2018 11:56 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

(07-10-2018 11:56 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

Looks realistic, but CMU might be a toss-up. They've owned us the last several years.

Last year's CMU game was really tough to watch. It was a tale of two halves with NIU dominating the first half and falling apart in the second. I honestly think NIU players saw the Toledo score during half time and lost all motivation for the second half.

(07-10-2018 11:56 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

I don't think there is any doubt about that regarding the letdown after seeing the Toledo result.

There should be PLENTY of motivation for NIU this year vs CMU. The game is sandwiched between games which some would say are not winnable, so you have to get on the board in that game. And just breaking the CMU curse should be motivation enough.

(07-10-2018 11:56 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

I don't think there is any doubt about that regarding the letdown after seeing the Toledo result.

There should be PLENTY of motivation for NIU this year vs CMU. The game is sandwiched between games which some would say are not winnable, so you have to get on the board in that game. And just breaking the CMU curse should be motivation enough.

And then they carried their lack of motivation all the way to the Quick Lanes Bowl.

(07-10-2018 11:56 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote: Massey's breakdown on NIU's and Toledo's season:
Scares me a little to see only one really solid win probability where you don't have much doubt in the outcome, @ Ball State. Half of NIU's conference games are considered toss-ups.

I don't think there is any doubt about that regarding the letdown after seeing the Toledo result.

There should be PLENTY of motivation for NIU this year vs CMU. The game is sandwiched between games which some would say are not winnable, so you have to get on the board in that game. And just breaking the CMU curse should be motivation enough.

And then they carried their lack of motivation all the way to the Quick Lanes Bowl.

I don't think there is any doubt about that regarding the letdown after seeing the Toledo result.

There should be PLENTY of motivation for NIU this year vs CMU. The game is sandwiched between games which some would say are not winnable, so you have to get on the board in that game. And just breaking the CMU curse should be motivation enough.

And then they carried their lack of motivation all the way to the Quick Lanes Bowl.

Why wasn't breaking the CMU curse enough motivation last year?

Good question.

Certainly a good question. Something toxic seems to have permeated the team at the end of last year. That whole Quick Lane experience from announcement to game was probably the most embarrassed I have ever been to be a Huskie fan since I was a Huskie fan.